Basehor volleyball team places fourth in tournament

Last week Chelsey Patton said she wanted to beat Eudora before her high school eligibility ended. Basehor-Linwood got the opportunity Saturday at the De Soto Tournament in the third place game, but fell 13-25, 19-25.

"The girls for the most part over the day played really good volleyball," coach Tammy Zydlo said. "To end on that note was kind of like, 'Ugh.'"

The loss didn't detract from a mostly positive day. After losing to St. James Academy (16-25, 17-25), which Zydlo characterized as a "very, very good team," the Bobcats ripped off three consecutive wins--Baldwin (25-12, 25-9), Jefferson West (25-23, 26-24) and Spring Hill (25-17, 25-11).

This allowed the team to advance to the winners bracket, as the number two seed from their five-team pool, and a matchup against Tonganoxie.

The Lady 'Cats lost a tense, up-and-down match 22-25, 22-25 to set up a rematch against Eudora.

"We ran out of gas," Zydlo said of the Eudora match. "I think we were somewhat emotionally drained from the Tonganoxie game. It was a really hard fought game that could have gone either way. They had to battle back several times. Tonganoxie is a good team and some balls just didn't bounce our way."

The loss to Eudora resulted in a fourth place finish, out of 10 teams, for BLHS.

"I thought we would be motivated to beat Eudora--I know that was a goal of some of the girls," Zydlo said. "I think everyone was disappointed. If we would have played the way we played against Tonganoxie, we would have beaten Eudora. It would have been nice to take third place. I always say there is a big difference between third and fourth in a tournament. But the girls played good volleyball. They should feel proud that they finished fourth."

Zydlo said the defense was particularly strong for the day.

"My defensive trio, Amber and Ashley Jeannin, Jennifer Sirridge, Chelsey Patton and Michelle Chrisman, they continue to be work horses for us in the back row," Zydlo said. "They get balls up that last year I never saw them do. They are working really hard."

Cassie Lombardino finished with 48 kills and Patton had 33.

The team was forced to shuffle its lineup after an unfortunate injury. Elyse Douglas came down on an errant volleyball from an adjacent court during play, landing awkwardly, and sprained her ankle. Kara Douglas moved to right side hitter as a replacement.

"She did a really good job for us," Zydlo said.

Zydlo expects Elyse to return this week.

BLHS, now 17-11, matched last year's win total (17-18), over the weekend

The team is on pace to top 20 wins. No Lady Bobcat team has finished with 20 or more wins since before 1995.

"That is something the girls should be proud of," Zydlo said. "They have worked hard for it."